Sibling education: implementing a program for the NICU.
Many nurses have recognized the need for sibling visitation and education in maternity units, but few sibling programs have been initiated for premature or ill infants. This article describes a model neonatal intensive care unit sibling education and visitation program that was designed and implemented by nurses practicing in a 60 bed NICU. The program strives to strengthen family functioning and bonding by involving siblings in the family experience of the hospitalization and care of a premature or ill infant. Over 100 children, ages three to eight years old, have attended the program since its inception and both the children and their parents have reported high levels of satisfaction with the program. Since the idea and implementation of NICU sibling education is so new, nursing research needs to be initiated in this area to determine the effectiveness of such programs.